THIS is regarded as a grand opera and they don’t come any grander than Verdi’s four-act masterpiece.

Three and a half hours in length, a massive cast, huge sets and a plot that encompassed murder, revolt, adultery and betrayal. This was a stonking, blood and snot affair.

Sung in English (with subtitles) Verdi runs his epic against the background of the Spanish Inquisition and the set is as dark as the subject, which adds to the tension and explosive nature of the wonderful music.

The King of Spain, Charles V, has just died and his successor is Philip II, who is married to Elizabeth, a French woman originally betrothed to his son, Carlos.

Elizabeth and Carlos still carry a flame for each other, much to Philip’s chagrin, and, as if that’s not enough, Carlos is determined to ferment rebellion against his father’s empire in Flanders.

Given the nature of society at the time, with the supremacy of God’s law, religious paranoia and the fanatical terror of the Inquisition, there’s no shortage of torture, death and hypocrisy in such an oppressive atmosphere.

This is a magnificent opera, with a tremendous cast led by Julian Gavin (Don Carlos), Alastair Miles (Phillip II) and soprano Janice Watson (Elizabeth,) but it would be remiss not to mention Jane Dutton, as the scheming Princess Eboli, the baritone of William Dazeley (Marquis of Posa) and Clive Bayley, as the Grand Inquisitor.

■ Until tomorrow. Box Office: 08448-112-121.

Ed Waugh